Dorothy Alma Ueker Knapp

Dorothy Ueker Knapp died September 22, 2014 at the age of 97.

She was born March 20, 1917, the daughter of John and Alvina Ueker.

Dorothy grew up in the small town of Grafton, Iowa during the days of the "Great Depression" along with three other sisters, Gladys, Lola, and Virginia.

In 1935, Dorothy graduated from Grafton High School. Later, she attended nursing school at Saint Mary Medical school of Rochester Minnesota (next to the Mayo Clinic) and graduated during the spring of 1939. Soon after, she became a registered nurse and met her husband, Harold C. Knapp, of 73 years.

Harold and Dorothy were joined in marriage on December 7th 1940 in Rochester Minnesota. The following year they moved to Long Beach, California to support the war effort (WWII). Together, they raised two boys, Bruce and John.

In 1952, they moved from their Long Beach residence to the neighboring "suburban" city of Lakewood, CA, and lived there until their final days. Harold passed away on June 08, 2013 at the age of 99.

After the war, Dorothy worked at Rockwell International where she was employed as an industrial nurse. After many years of nursing service, she retired to a life of traveling, volunteering, and being with family, and friends. She took part in many social clubs and church events, including: Lutheran Social Service, "Lakewood Brown Bag" Club, and the Weingart Senior Center. Dorothy was the last living charter members of St. Timothy's Lutheran Church of Lakewood.

Dorothy took comfort in her family and pride in her nursing career. She was a wonderful and thoughtful person who always took care of others. She was a strong, positive, and resilient woman who was always able to find the balance in life. She drew her strengths from God, her deep-rooted Christian (Lutheran) faith, her love of family, and her many, many friends.

Dorothy is survived by her two younger sisters, Lola Roppe of Mason City Iowa, and Virginia Walk of Grafton Iowa; her two sons Bruce and John; her daughters-in-law Pamela and Lynn; her grandsons Ken and Wayne and their wives Lori and Caryn; and her great-grandchildren: Travis, Joe, Emma, Ava, Brad, and Ford.

Dorothy (Mother, Grandma, GreatGrandma, "Cholie") had a long and wonderful life filled with a loving family and many wonderful friends. She will be deeply missed.
Services will be held October 7th at St. Timothy's of Lakewood, CA at 11:00AM